[3gcustoms]

Hey yall. we recently purchased a VF-2B and its time to move it. the machine in not currently powered and has no real way to get it powered. we are trying to sort out how to get the spindle down to the table with the least amount of trouble and or damage. discharging the enough nitrogen from the counterbalance tank seems like a reasonably easy way to get it done. i can recharge with out much trouble back in out shop with a accumulator charging set up . Is the the best way to accomplish this or is there a better way ?>

[Donkey Hotey]

Does it even have a counterbalance? What year is the machine?

Even if it does, there's a fair chance that the pressure will already be low. The Z axis motor does 100% of holding up the head on machines after at least 2003-2004. I understand there's a brake in there that locks when it loses power. That holds the screw against back-driving.

I would put a floor jack on the table and raise it up to the spindle. Pump a little pressure under the spindle to support it. Next, get up on top and remove the Z axis motor. Do not do this without the spindle supported at the bottom. As soon as that motor comes off, there will be nothing holding up the head except the nitrogen cylinder (if you even have one). Lower the spindle to rest on a block of wood. Preferably, get a spindle support bracket and screw everything together.

The spindle support bracket doesn't only keep the head safe but, it also keeps the table from moving around during transport. Hit the brakes hard and it may not take much for the table to overcome the ball screws and slam into hard stops or the ends of the screw travels.

[3gcustoms]

Does it even have a counterbalance? What year is the machine?

Even if it does, there's a fair chance that the pressure will already be low. The Z axis motor does 100% of holding up the head on machines after at least 2003-2004. I understand there's a brake in there that locks when it loses power. That holds the screw against back-driving.

I would put a floor jack on the table and raise it up to the spindle. Pump a little pressure under the spindle to support it. Next, get up on top and remove the Z axis motor. Do not do this without the spindle supported at the bottom. As soon as that motor comes off, there will be nothing holding up the head except the nitrogen cylinder (if you even have one). Lower the spindle to rest on a block of wood. Preferably, get a spindle support bracket and screw everything together.

The spindle support bracket doesn't only keep the head safe but, it also keeps the table from moving around during transport. Hit the brakes hard and it may not take much for the table to overcome the ball screws and slam into hard stops or the ends of the screw travels.

This machine is an early 2003. Im not positive if it has a counterbalance or not. I had read that it could have is why is was tracing that option down. I had also read that you take the z motor off the tool high change is effected. Is this true .